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Injuries force Oregon State Beavers offensive line to reshuffle yet again

Oregon State Beavers start third week of fall football practice in Corvallis

Oregon State Beavers right tackle Dustin Stanton (74) sits out with ice on his ankle as the Beavers began their third week of fall football practice Monday in Corvallis.
(Randy L. Rasmussen/The Oregonian)

CORVALLIS -- Dustin Stanton isn't sure which player fell on his right ankle during a position drill Monday morning. The Oregon State offensive lineman just knows that as soon as he felt pain rush up his leg, three words shot to the front of his mind.

No, not now.

Stanton was one of fall camp's feel-good storylines. After moving to left tackle in spring practices, the former tight end settled in with the first team. Over the past two weeks, he transitioned seamlessly from left to right tackle.

Offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh is comfortable enough with Stanton to call the sophomore "the favorite" to start Aug. 30 against Portland State. No more tinkering appears necessary.

That is, if Stanton can return soon. He had his right ankle wrapped in ice before the team period Monday, forcing Cavanaugh to plug in Sean Harlow at right tackle.

Harlow, who spent the first week shuffling between both guard spots before missing time with a head injury, will stay at right tackle until Stanton rejoins practice. Monday afternoon, sophomore Garrett Weinreich was the first-team left guard while sophomore Grant Bays filled in at first-team right guard.

"We're only playing the five best," Cavanaugh said. "There's other guys that have to rise up. They can't wait. It's got to be now."

It doesn't help that Will Hopkins broke a bone in his left hand late in Saturday's scrimmage. The redshirt freshman, who had been taking second-team reps at both tackles, is considering surgery and expects to miss about four weeks.

When everyone's healthy, coaches would prefer to have Isaac Seumalo at right guard, Stanton at right tackle, Josh Mitchell or Bays at center, Harlow at left guard and Gavin Andrews at left tackle.

"With Dustin and I getting hurt in a very short time, it's back to barely anybody again," Hopkins said. "At least Sean's back this week."

This summer, Stanton ate six meals a day to put 20 pounds on his 6-foot-4, 260-pound frame. Cavanaugh was pleased that the extra heft didn't limit Stanton's athleticism. The position switch was following script, he thought.

At this point, Cavanaugh just hopes a lengthy recovery doesn't force him to lean on yet another Plan B.

"He's got to get back fast," Cavanaugh said. "He's a good athlete, he's tough, he can anchor and punch. It's really important that we get him back in there."